oil for flatheads?

[Upchuck]

I was wondering what sort of oil to use in a used dirty old flathead thats been sitting for years? if I used high detergent oil for a diesel engine would that flush out to much crap and plug galleries up or should I just use regular old quaker state?

right now its seized up tight as a nun but when it comes time to pop the ole cherry I may not be thinking of what sort of lube to use in my excitement http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[286merc]

If it has been sitting that long a HD detergent wont have much effect on hardened sludge. A good quality 20W50 will keep the bearings and the rest of the rotating assembly very happy.
Best thing is to drop the pan, clean it out and at least clean the oil pump screen. If it was me and I wanted it to run for a few years I would put in a new Melling M19 pump.

The Melling will also work in a old 59A style block if you use the 8BA pickip and screen.

[UNCLECHET]

Mine is worn out so I just run what ever I find cheap. 30w or 40w. It doesn't seem to mind at this point. When something does go wrong I guess I'll pull it out and rebuild.

[Upchuck]

regular oil it is then

thanks